Bar Kokhba Revolt — The Last Jewish War
The triggers for the revolt remain debated: Hadrian's plan to refound Jerusalem as a Roman city (Aelia Capitolina) and his possible ban on circumcision both appear in ancient sources. Whatever the cause, a large-scale and well-organised revolt broke out in 132 CE under Simon bar Kosiba — acclaimed by the great rabbi Akiva as 'Bar Kokhba' (Son of a Star, a messianic title). Initially Rome was caught badly off guard. The Tenth Legion suffered badly. Bar Kokhba's forces recaptured much of Judaea and may have briefly occupied Jerusalem. He issued his own coins, dated to 'Year One of the Liberation of Israel.' Hadrian sent Julius Severus from Britain — his best general — with massive reinforcements. Severus refused pitched battle, systematically reducing Jewish strongholds one by one. Ancient sources report 985 villages destroyed and 580,000 killed in battle; the numbers are probably exaggerated but the devastation was extraordinary. Bar Kokhba made his final stand at the fortress of Bethar. It fell in 135 CE; Bar Kokhba died in its fall. Rabbi Akiva was executed. Jerusalem became Aelia Capitolina, a Roman colony with a temple to Jupiter on the Temple Mount. The province was renamed Syria Palaestina — erasing the name 'Judaea' from the map.
- Year: 132 CE
- Category: Military
